Because you can’t get enough surreal cartooniness today, here’s the first episode of CAT SH*T ONE, an anime version of the war in the MIddle East starring violent bunnies and camels. It’s based on the manga series by Motofumi Kobayashi, which was set in the Vietnam War, but there’s plenty of guerilla war to go around for reboots. Sadly, the kitty kat Viet Cong in the original are replaced by camel terrorists here. (The manga was published in the US by ADV as APOCALYPSE MEOW.)

David Brothers has a rundown of the bold distribution plan for the series — the first episode is being released for free on YouTube while a Blu-ray edition is also available. The series was produced by an indie production company and according to their Facebook page, they’ve yet to make back production costs so they are depending on word of mouth to spread the good news about Cat Sh*t One.

The film has yet to surpass the production cost and we saw more potential for the content in the U.S. than in Japan. We dubbed the entire film in English by casting American voice actors. Even after all the obstacles, we have managed to finalize the English version of our investment.

Heidi MacDonald is the founder and editor in chief of The Beat. In the past, she worked for Disney, DC Comics, Fox and Publishers Weekly. She can be heard regularly on the More To Come Podcast. She likes coffee, cats and noble struggle.

The subtitled version has been out for ages – also free, but the dialog and tone was dramatically different.

My quibble remains in both versions… that despite them being cute rabbits they don’t portray any animal abilities (i.e., rabbits can jump/hop, good ears, et.) Basically it was like watching men in rabbit suits.

Also, the rescue still isn’t explained. I assume, they are saving one of the camels because he’s an informant / double agent, but it’s never stated.

Still, I liked it. It’s a fun effort and I hope it gets the funding it needs.

Thank you very much for watching ‘Cat Shit One’ animation for the last two weeks!
Now, we have another special campaign here!

Purchase a DVD/Blu-ray and Win a Special Prize!
Cat Shit One’s Packy and Botasky
Collectable Figure Set Giveaway Campaign!

Here is your chance to win Packy and Botasky as Collectable Figure Set!
This is a limited item giveaway. It’s even difficult to get a hold of them in Japan!
For your chance to win this rare prize, purchase a DVD/Blu-ray and register today!

Prize: Packy and Botasky Collectable Figure Set (Only 10 sets are available.)
Eligibility: Customers who purchase ‘Cat Shit One’ DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.com sold by Character Tank, Inc. between February 5 and February 28, 2011. (Open to the US residents only. More information: http://www.charactertank.com/cso/ap-rules.html)
Required Info: Amazon order ID number, your name and email address (All entrants must use the same name as the name registered with purchase is made on Amazon.com)
Promo Period: Beginning at 12:00 a.m. PST on February 19th, 2011 until 11:59 p.m. PST on February 28th, 2011.